Margaret Ann Cochran

Margaret Ann Cochran, age 80, passed away peacefully with her family by her side at Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital on December 28, 2018. Margaret was born in Salinas, CA to Jens and Kirstine Nielsen. Margaret's mother, Kirstine, passed away when Margaret was only nine months old. Jens, Margaret's father, owned and operated The Travelers Inn restaurant in Gonzales where Margaret was raised. Margaret graduated from Gonzales High School in 1956 and married James Ray Cochran. Together they raised four children: William (Billy), James (Jimmy), Cindy and Kristine. Margaret worked at Eden Valley Care Center for two years before she started working at the Correctional Training Facility (CTF) in Soledad where she still worked full-time/40hrs a week up until her passing. She loved her job and her coworkers and enjoyed baking items for the potlucks and bake sales. Everyone loved her famous pecan pies. Anyone who knew Margaret loved her. She loved spending time with family and living the country life. She is and will always be missed greatly by all who were lucky enough to know her. Margaret had the biggest heart and was always eager to help in any way she could whenever she could. She believed in seeing the best in everyone and every situation and family meant everything to her. She was a true blessing to be around. Margaret is survived by her children: James Cochran Jr, William Cochran, Cindy Wagner (Chris), and Kristine Cochran. Her grandchildren: Jennifer Gates (Chad), James Cochran III, Kimberly Merritt (Ken), Steven Russell (Tvin), Andrea Russell, and Emily Kilgore (Josh) Seven great-grandchildren and her sister-in-law Berneda Cochran, whom she considered to be her sister. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Life is scheduled on Sunday, January 13th at 1:00pm at the Moss Landing Marine Laboratories at 8272 Moss Landing Rd, Moss landing, CA 95039.